Processing system having a process injection apparatus

Abstract

A process injection apparatus, a method for supplying a process ingredient to a process apparatus, and a processing system using the process injection apparatus. The apparatus of the invention includes a process ingredient source and a process ingredient supply line. The process ingredient supply line has a first end and a second end, where the first end is in fluid communication with the process ingredient source, and the second end is configured and adapted for insertion into a process solution supply line of a process apparatus at a point upstream of a process vessel of the process apparatus, thereby providing an injection point in the process solution supply line. The process ingredient source and the injection point are in fluid communication through the process ingredient supply line, and the process injection apparatus is configured and adapted to supply a process ingredient from the process ingredient source, through the process ingredient supply line, and to the injection point for use in a process in the process vessel. The second end is configured to position the injection point sufficiently close to the process vessel, such that process ingredient flowing through the injection point is exposed to any process solution in the process apparatus for a period of time less than that required to significantly degrade the ingredient upon exposure to the solution.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A processing system for conducting a chemical or physical process, the processing system comprising: 
 a process apparatus and a process injection apparatus for supplying a process ingredient to the process apparatus, wherein the process apparatus comprises:    a process solution supply, a process vessel, and a process solution supply line, connecting the process solution supply and the process vessel; wherein    the process solution supply and the process vessel are in fluid communication through the process solution supply line, and the process apparatus is configured and adapted to supply process solution from the process solution supply and through the process solution supply line to the process vessel for processing; and    the process injection apparatus comprises:    a process ingredient source and a process ingredient supply line, the process ingredient supply line having a first end and a second end, the first end in fluid communication with the process ingredient source, and the second end configured and adapted to provide an injection point in the process solution supply line of the process apparatus at a point upstream of the process vessel; wherein    the process ingredient source and the process apparatus are in fluid communication through the process ingredient supply line and the injection point, and the process injection apparatus is configured and adapted to supply a process ingredient from the process ingredient source, through the process ingredient supply line and the injection point to the process apparatus for use in the process vessel; wherein    the injection point is sufficiently close to the process vessel that any process ingredient flowing through the injection point is exposed to any process solution in the process apparatus for a period of time less than that required to significantly degrade the ingredient upon exposure to the solution; and, optionally, wherein    the second end of the process ingredient supply line is configured and adapted to be disconnected and reconnected to the injection point, and the process injection apparatus is mobile, such that a single process injection apparatus can be used with more than one process apparatus.    
     
     
         2 . The processing system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a process ingredient flow measuring device, configured to measure flow of the process ingredient flowing through the process ingredient supply line; and, optionally, 
 a process ingredient flow control mechanism in functional communication with the process ingredient flow measuring device, the process ingredient flow control mechanism configured and adapted to initiate flow of the process ingredient upon receipt of a signal that the process ingredient is required in the process vessel, and to terminate the flow upon receipt of a signal from the process ingredient flow measuring device that an amount of ingredient sufficient for the process has been pumped to the process apparatus.    
     
     
         3 . The processing system according to  claim 2 , wherein the flow measuring device is a flow meter.  
     
     
         4 . The processing system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a mixer positioned in the process solution supply line between the injection point and the process vessel.  
     
     
         5 . The processing system according to  claim 4 , wherein the mixer is a static mixer.  
     
     
         6 . The processing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the process is a panning process, and the process vessel is a coating pan.  
     
     
         7 . The processing system according to  claim 6 , wherein the process solution is a sucrose coating solution.  
     
     
         8 . The processing system according to  claim 1 , wherein the process ingredient is a temperature sensitive colorant or dye.  
     
     
         9 . The processing system according to  claim 8 , wherein the colorant or dye is anthocyanin or a beet dye.  
     
     
         10 . The processing system according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one valve in the process ingredient supply line, the valve having a supply position and a recirculation position, wherein, when the valve is in the supply position, the process ingredient flows from the source to the pump and through the valve to the injection point, and, when the valve is in the recirculation position, the process ingredient flows from the source to the pump and back to the source, thereby forming a recirculation loop; and, optionally 
 a process ingredient flow control mechanism in functional communication with the at least one valve, the process ingredient flow control mechanism configured and adapted to place the valve in the supply position upon receipt of a signal that the process ingredient is required in the process vessel, and to place the valve in the recirculation position upon receipt of a signal that an amount of ingredient sufficient for the process has been pumped to the process apparatus.    
     
     
         11 . The processing system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a mixer placed in the ingredient source, and configured to mix process ingredient in the ingredient source.  
     
     
         12 . The processing system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a pump configured and adapted to pump process ingredient from the process ingredient source, through the process ingredient supply line and the injection point to the process apparatus.  
     
     
         13 . The processing system according to  claim 12 , wherein the pump is a piston, diaphragm, or rotary positive displacement pump.  
     
     
         14 . A method of introducing a process ingredient unstable in a process solution of a process into the process without significant degradation of the process ingredient, the method comprising: 
 providing a process solution and a process ingredient for a process, wherein the process ingredient is unstable upon exposure to the process solution;    connecting a process ingredient supply line to an injection point in a process solution supply line for the process;    determining when process ingredient is required in the process;    providing a flow of the required process ingredient through the process ingredient supply line into the process solution in the process solution supply line as the process solution flows through the process solution supply line to the process;    terminating the flow of the required process ingredient through the process ingredient supply line when an amount of the process ingredient sufficient for the process has been pumped to the process solution supply line;    exposing the process ingredient to the process solution for a period of time less than that required to significantly degrade the ingredient upon exposure to the solution;    optionally, flowing the process ingredient through a recirculation loop when the process ingredient is not required in the process; and, optionally    mixing the ingredient with the process solution in the process solution supply line with a mixer positioned in the process solution supply line.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the process is a panning process.  
     
     
         16 . The method of claim  22 , wherein the process solution is a sucrose coating solution.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the process ingredient is a dye or colorant.  
     
     
         18 . A coating system for applying a coating to a mass of centers, the coating system comprising: 
 a coating apparatus and a coating ingredient injection apparatus, wherein the coating apparatus comprises:    a coating solution supply, a coating vessel, and a coating solution supply line, connecting the coating solution supply and the coating vessel; wherein    the coating solution supply and the coating vessel are in fluid communication through the coating solution supply line, and the coating apparatus is configured and adapted to supply coating solution from the coating solution supply, through the coating solution supply line, and to the coating vessel for coating a mass of centers; and    the coating ingredient injection apparatus comprises:    a coating ingredient source and a coating ingredient supply line, the coating ingredient supply line having a first end and a second end, the first end in fluid communication with the coating ingredient source, and the second end in fluid communication with an injection point of the coating apparatus positioned in the coating solution supply line at a point upstream of the coating vessel; wherein    the coating ingredient source and the coating apparatus are in fluid communication through the coating ingredient supply line and the injection point, and the coating injection apparatus is configured and adapted to supply a coating ingredient from the coating ingredient source, through the coating ingredient supply line and through the injection point to the coating apparatus for use in the coating vessel; and wherein    the injection point is sufficiently close to the coating vessel that coating ingredient flowing through the injection point is exposed to any coating solution in the coating apparatus for a period of time less than that required to significantly degrade the coating ingredient upon exposure to the coating solution.    
     
     
         19 . The coating system according to  claim 18 , wherein the coating ingredient is anthocyanin or a beet dye.  
     
     
         20 . A coating ingredient injection apparatus for supplying a coating ingredient to a panning apparatus, the coating ingredient injection apparatus comprising: 
 a coating ingredient source and a coating ingredient supply line, the coating ingredient supply line having a first end and a second end, the first end in fluid communication with the coating ingredient source, and the second end configured and adapted for insertion into a coating solution supply line of a panning apparatus at a point upstream of a coating vessel of the panning apparatus, thereby providing an injection point in the coating solution supply line; wherein    the coating ingredient source and the injection point are in fluid communication through the coating ingredient supply line, and the coating ingredient injection apparatus is configured and adapted to supply a coating ingredient from the coating ingredient source and through the coating ingredient supply line to the injection point for use in a coating process in the coating vessel; and wherein    the second end is configured to position the injection point sufficiently close to the coating vessel, such that coating ingredient flowing through the injection point is exposed to any coating solution in the panning apparatus for a period of time less than that required to significantly degrade the ingredient upon exposure to the solution.